The Minute Book of the General Council
February 1867

Mr. Reaveley then introduced Mr. Moller, a member of^ the Coach-Trimmers’ Society held at The Crown, Broad Street, Golden Square, who asked for information relative to the objects of the Association. He was supplied with a copy of the Rules, and a deputation was promised to attend upon his society on the first Tuesday in March next.[104]

Mr. Reaveley took up cards of membership for Lewis Smith, 36, South St., Manchester Square, and for Cornelius Reddlington, 10, Adam St., Portman Sq., W., for which he paid 2s. 2d. He also returned 60 cards to the Secretary.

Mr. Cowell Stepney of Swindon Villa, Upper Norwood, Surrey, also took up a card of membership and paid one guinea.

Citizen Fox read a letter from the National Reform League held at the Eclectic Hall, Denmark Street, Soho, W., desiring to know on what terms that League could become affiliated to the Association.[105]

Fox was desired to give the required information.

A discussion then arose as to what date the subscriptions of societies in affiliation should become due.

It was then resolved that all societies should pay their contributions in advance to clear them up for 12 months from date of enrolment.

Block-Cutters

Jung reported that he had waited upon the two French block-cutters who had gone to work for Mr. Huntington of Holloway, but he had arrived at no satisfactory conclusion as yet. He should see the men again.

Jung reported that he had waited upon the bookbinders at the Harpers Arms, Theobald’s Road, but in consequence of their pressure of business he had not been able to read to them the letter from the Paris bookbinders. He had however left them a translation of it.

The Standing Committee recommended the Council to take part in the Reform demonstration by sending a deputation.

Fox, Lessner, Lafargue, Dupont, and Shaw were appointed to represent the Council, and Simonard, Collet, and Neemeier on behalf of the French branch.[106]

Jung read a letter asking for the general report from Card of Geneva.[107]

The Secretary was instructed to pay £3 to Mr. Leno on account of printing and £2 10s. to Mr. Miall for rent.

Mr. Cottam’s bill for printing cards was referred to the Standing Committee. The Council authorised the Standing Committee to get the forms printed for obtaining statistical information to be laid before [the] Congress.

[The Minutes are in Shaw’s hand on pp. 61-62 of the Minute Book. An error in the original: “February W’ instead of “February 26”]

Vice-President Eccarius in the chair.

Fox secretary for the night.

The delegate [the word “delegate” is inserted in another hand instead of the crossed-out words “Citizen Yarrow"] paid £1 7s. on behalf of the West End Cabinet-Makers, 5s. being for entrance fee and £1 2s. for annual subscription of 500 members.

John[should be: James] Cohn then presented his credentials from the Cigar-Makers’ Society and was accepted by the Council. He stated that his society numbered 700 men.

Belgian Riots and Massacre

Citizen Collet read a letter from Vésinier appealing for aid for the widows and sufferers. He stated that a collection had been made by the French branch, but that that branch was waiting to see what action would be taken by the General Council in the matter.

The question of subscription was mooted but generally discountenanced.

Ultimately it was resolved to appeal to the miners and iron-workers of Britain, and Eccarius was ordered to draw up a circular for presentation to the Sub-Committee on Saturday next.[108]

Report from Coach-Trimmers at the Globe, North Audley St., Grosvenor Square

Lessner reported that he had attended this body since the last meeting of the Council. The members had agreed to become affiliated to the Association.

Correspondence from France

Citizen Dupont paid in a bill of exchange equal to 9s. 2 ½d. English money in payment of balance due from Fleurieux-Sur-Saône. Dupont also read a letter from the Paris commission announcing that all the delegates to the Geneva Congress had been re-elected and giving reasons for the commission as it now stood. The same letter also set forth the programme which the new commission had drawn up for the Congress at Lausanne.[109]

Fox announced that the International Courier and Courrier International had been temporarily suspended by their proprietor and editor (Collet) in consequence of his inability to find two sureties to the government. Collet had one, a Frenchman. He wanted a Briton for the second. Fox thought as the two journals were advocating the principles of the Council they should help Collet over the difficulty.

Collet stated that after 48 hours’ delay the French Government had allowed the last number, containing the first part of the Congress report, to circulate in France.[110]

The Polish Celebration of January 22nd

Zabicki translated from the government organ at Warsaw a ludicrous report of the late demonstration in Cambridge Hall.